By Jamie Dickenson

Boro make the long trip down to Wales to take on Michael Laudrup's side in the English league cup, and Jamie Dickenson is predicting goals aplenty and a win for the hosts

Swansea entertain Middlesbrough at the Liberty Stadium with a spot in the Capital One Cup semi-finals up for grabs.

The Swans have built on the foundations set up by former manager Brendan Rodgers under new boss Michael Laudrup this season and look good value for victory here at an admittedly short 17/25 (1.68).

Laudrup’s side have dispatched Barnsley, Crawley and Liverpool so far in the competition and will be focused on securing a place in the last four against Championship team Middlesbrough.

Boro beat Bury, Gillingham and Preston before earning a trip to Swansea after knocking out Premier League opposition and local rivals Sunderland.

Tony Mowbray’s outfit can be supported to overcome the Swans at an attractive 23/5 (5.60), while the draw can be backed at 59/20 (3.95).

For those who prefer to bet on who will qualify outright for the semi-finals instead of over the 90 minute match, then Swansea are priced short at 1/3 (1.33), with Boro outsiders at 5/2 (3.50).

Both teams like to play attractive, expansive football, and with defences that are vulnerable to conceding, goals could well be on the cards in this match.

Boro’s last two outings have produced five-goal thrillers, while Swansea bookended a late 2-0 win over Arsenal with a 3-1 victory against West Brom and a 4-3 loss to Norwich.

Therefore the two sides are likely to produce an open game, and sticking your neck out to back over 3.75 goals - essentially four or more - could prove worthwhile at odds of 53/20 (3.65).

Playing it safer and backing both teams to score at 13/5 (1.77) appears a more realistic prospect, and given the likelihood of a close-fought encounter it should be a banker.

But the Swans will hope to make their Premier League status count on home soil, and in leading scorer Michu they possess a man in a rich vein of striking form.

The Spaniard has five goals in three games for Swansea and will be the main attacking threat for the hosts again against Boro as the Swans have a realistic chance of going all the way to the final of this competition.

Odds on Michu to score a third double in succession (or any other player to score twice) can be had at 59/20 (3.95), while a hat-trick (for anyone) is available at 13/1 (14.00).